New International VersionFor my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this.

New Living TranslationEven though I am not with you in person, I am with you in the Spirit. And as though I were there, I have already passed judgment on this man

English Standard VersionFor though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing.

New American Standard Bible For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present.

King James BibleFor I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,

Holman Christian Standard BibleFor though I am absent in body but present in spirit, I have already decided about the one who has done this thing as though I were present.

International Standard VersionEven though I am away from you physically, I am with you in spirit. I have already passed judgment on the man who did this, as though I were present with you.

NET BibleFor even though I am absent physically, I am present in spirit. And I have already judged the one who did this, just as though I were present.

Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishFor while I am distant from you in body, I am near to you in spirit. And now I have judged as being present with whoever has committed this:

GOD'S WORD® TranslationAlthough I'm not physically present with you, I am with you in spirit. I have already judged the man who did this as though I were present with you.

Jubilee Bible 2000For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, him that has so done this deed.

King James 2000 BibleFor I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that has so done this deed,

American King James VersionFor I truly, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that has so done this deed,

American Standard VersionFor I verily, being absent in body but present in spirit, have already as though I were present judged him that hath so wrought this thing,

Douay-Rheims BibleI indeed, absent in body, but present in spirit, have already judged, as though I were present, him that hath so done,

5:1-8 The apostle notices a flagrant abuse, winked at by the Corinthians. Party spirit, and a false notion of Christian liberty, seem to have saved the offender from censure. Grievous indeed is it that crimes should sometimes be committed by professors of the gospel, of which even heathens would be ashamed. Spiritual pride and false doctrines tend to bring in, and to spread such scandals. How dreadful the effects of sin! The devil reigns where Christ does not. And a man is in his kingdom, and under his power, when not in Christ. The bad example of a man of influence is very mischievous; it spreads far and wide. Corrupt principles and examples, if not corrected, would hurt the whole church. Believers must have new hearts, and lead new lives. Their common conversation and religious deeds must be holy. So far is the sacrifice of Christ our Passover for us, from rendering personal and public holiness unnecessary, that it furnishes powerful reasons and motives for it. Without holiness we can neither live by faith in him, nor join in his ordinances with comfort and profit.

Verse 3. - For I verily. The broken structure of the verse shows the deep emotion with which it was penned - as it were with sobs. St. Paul contrasts the line which he means to take with the lax condonation granted by the Corinthian Church. As absent; rather, being absent or though absent. The as is omitted in the best manuscripts. But present in spirit; literally, in the spirit;' but he is referring to his own spirit: "Bodily I am absent; but speaking as though my spirit were present in your assembly [comp. 2 Kings 5:26], I have already judged," etc. Have judged already. My decision was instantaneous and is final. As though I were present. My sentence is as clear as though I were at this moment standing in the midst of you. That hath so done. The verb is not as before, poiesas, but katergasamenon, which is stronger, "the perpetrator of this deed." The "so" means "with all these circumstances of aggravation." The same verb is used in Romans 1:27. The broken periods of the Greek reflect the emotion of the writer. The passage is as it were written with sobs (Wordsworth).

For I verily, as absent in body,.... As he really was, being now at Philippi, if any dependence is to be had upon the subscription of this epistle; or rather at Ephesus; however, wherever he was, it is certain he was not at Corinth:

but present in spirit; in his affection to them, care of them, and concern for their good, and the glory of God:

have judged already; he had considered of the matter, thought very deliberately about it, and was now come to a point, to a determination concerning it, what to do in it:

as though I were present; upon the spot, in person, to do what he had resolved upon:

to him that hath so done this deed; this infamous one, and in so scandalous a manner, and which was continued in: what that was which the apostle, upon mature deliberation and judgment, determined to do with this wicked man, is expressed in 1 Corinthians 5:5 which is to be connected with this, the whole fourth verse being to be read in a parenthesis, and that was to deliver him to Satan.

Immorality Rebuked…2You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst. 3For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present.4In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus,…

Cross References

1 Corinthians 5:12What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?

Colossians 2:5For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

1 Thessalonians 2:17But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.

Treasury of Scripture

For I truly, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that has so done this deed,

Alphabetical: absent already am And as body but committed did Even For has have him I if in judged judgment just my not on one part passed physically present so spirit the this though were who with you